Not so, says Perez, who told HuffPost Gay Voices that he did it completely the old-fashioned way: through portion control and some serious gym time. "It wasn't quick," he said. "And I worked for it! I'm STILL working for it! In fact, I'm working much harder on my fitness now than when I first started this journey."

Of his decision to go barechested beneath his coat, he added, "That outfit was more than just about fashion for me. It was also a statement. I was saying, 'I'm owning my body. I've worked very hard to transform it. And I'm feeling GREAT!'"

Perez, whose real name is Mario Lavanderia, also noted that the changes weren't merely physical: "Looking good isn't as good as FEELING good. And I feel better than ever! I hope I'm able to inspire others."

In 2010, Perez launched a fitness-focused website called FitPerez, which comprises recipes, celebrity workout tips and photos of stars showing off their fit physiques, in addition to other regular features.
Check out photos and reactions to Perez's weight loss below: